Why a Mix of Exercise Can Help You Live Longer
Type: noun
Meaning: physical activity to make the body stronger or healthier
Synonyms: workout, activity
Example: Walking is a simple form of exercise.
Type: noun
Meaning: the condition of your body and mind
Synonyms: fitness, wellbeing
Example: Exercise can help improve your health.
Type: noun
Meaning: a good effect or advantage
Synonyms: advantage, gain
Example: One benefit of exercise is better mood.
Doing lots of different exercises every week can help people live longer. A large study tracked the exercise habits of many men and women over many years. The researchers found that people who did a mix of exercises had better health and lower risk of dying early than people who did only one kind of exercise. Exercise does many good things for the body. Some activities help the heart, some make muscles stronger, and others help the body stay flexible. When the exercises are different, the body gets more complete benefits. For example, walking, running, gardening, and yoga are all exercises that help in different ways. People who enjoy more than one exercise type tend to stay active and healthy for longer. Experts also say that exercise helps your mood and your mental health, so it can make everyday life better.
Type: noun
Meaning: many different kinds of something
Synonyms: diversity, mix
Example: A variety of exercises helps the body in many ways.
Task: Write a sentence about variety in life.
Type: noun
Meaning: how hard an exercise is
Synonyms: effort level, strength
Example: Running has higher intensity than walking.
Task: Explain intensity in your own words.
Type: adjective
Meaning: advised by experts as good or helpful
Synonyms: suggested, advised
Example: Doctors recommended exercise for health.
Task: Why might exercise be recommended?
A recent study shows that having a variety of exercises during the week can help people live longer and stay healthier. The research followed more than 100,000 adults for about 30 years and asked them about their weekly exercise habits. The scientists found that people who regularly did different types of physical activities had a lower risk of early death than those who mostly did the same kind of exercise. Experts explain that exercise works in different ways depending on how much intensity it has and what part of the body it engages. For example, aerobic activities like brisk walking or running help the heart, while strength training like lifting weights builds muscle and increases stamina. Activities like yoga or cycling help with flexibility and balance. The study also supports official recommended exercise guidelines that adults should do a mix of moderate and vigorous activity each week. People who found exercise fun and mixed their routines reported not only better physical health but also better mood and mental wellbeing.
Type: noun
Meaning: living a long life
Synonyms: lifespan, life expectancy
Example: Regular mixed exercise may improve longevity.
Task: Use longevity in a societal health sentence.
Type: adjective
Meaning: working well together
Synonyms: matching, supportive
Example: Strength training and walking are complementary exercises.
Task: Explain how two activities can be complementary.
Type: adjective
Meaning: involving little or no physical activity
Synonyms: inactive, stationary
Example: Too much sedentary behaviour is unhealthy.
Task: Write a sentence about sedentary lifestyle.
Example: If you break a sweat regularly, your heart gets stronger.
Example: Experts say it’s healthy to mix it up in your workout routine.
Example: Adding strength training can help up your game in endurance sports.
Emerging evidence suggests that enhancing longevity may depend as much on variety in physical activity as on overall exercise volume. A comprehensive long-term study published in BMJ Medicine analysed the lifestyles of over 110,000 adults for more than three decades, showing that those with the broadest range of exercise types had a significantly lower risk of premature death from major causes such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory illness than participants with less diversity in physical activity. Researchers argue that different forms of activity offer complementary benefits because they engage distinct physiological mechanisms. Aerobic exercise like brisk walking improves cardiovascular efficiency, while resistance training builds muscle mass and strength. Flexibility and balance-focused activities, such as yoga and stretching, contribute to musculoskeletal health and reduce injury risk. Together, diverse activities provide a holistic health profile, superior to single-mode exercise. The study also highlights the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle. Prolonged periods of inactivity are linked to increased mortality risk, even among people who meet minimum weekly exercise recommendations. Therefore, breaking a sweat regularly and actively mixing it up in workouts is considered essential for maintaining optimal health across the lifespan. Experts also note that individuals can up their game by incorporating both moderate and vigorous activities into their routines to maximise cardiovascular, metabolic, and cognitive benefits.